A Summer at the UN: Lessons in Diplomacy & International Policy Creation

Abstract

This summer, I was a participant and primary witness to the upscaling and downscaling processes involved in the formation of international law and policy, and to the impact of the practice of diplomacy on domestic policy creation. Interning with the United Nations through the Permanent Mission of Ghana provided unrivaled exposure to the nature of the two-way interactions between states and the international community. I attended a series of high-level political meetings and got to meet important people both in Ghanaian foreign policy and international diplomacy. I will be discussing how my classes and extracurricular involvement prepared me for this experience, and what my major takeaways are moving forward. Students interested in international affairs and public policy on a global scale will find this panel useful.